005

Chapter Five

Astrid’s POV

The moment I took my gaze off Reis, Ocean’s eyes met mine like he had planned it making my chest tightened.

Before I could stop myself, the words spilled out of my mouth, sharp and clear enough for everyone around to hear.

“We agreed this would be private.” I snapped.

“We aren't supposed to tell anyone we are dating.” I added, scowling at him.

The quad seemed to go quiet in a strange way where sound still existed, but it no longer reached me.

I could feel Hannah and her friends staring, could feel the weight of their shock, their curiosity and their hunger for drama pressing against my skin.

Before I knew what was happening, Ocean’s arm found its way around my waist, pulling me to himself.

Slowly, he looked down at me, then back up at the girls. I saw his jaw tightened, just a little before parting his lips.

“I know,” he said calmly. Then with a softer tone, he added, “I’m sorry.”

Sorry.

The word felt wrong coming from his mouth.

After a while, his hand slid from my waist to my shoulder, his thumb pressing lightly as if to ground me.

“Forgive me,” he added, low enough that only I could hear.

Forgive him?

For throwing me into the spotlight like bait?

For turning my worst fear into a spectacle?

My pulse roared in my ears as my blood boiled in my veins.

I didn’t answer.

Instead, I grabbed his arm harder than I intended and yanked him away from the group.

Gasps erupted behind us but I didn’t look back.

They thought we were indeed couples and were having one of our fights. If only they knew this was something more different.

Gritting my teeth, I dragged him across the quad, through a side entrance and then down a corridor I barely registered, my heart hammering with every step.

My grip didn’t loosen until we burst into the indoor basketball court.

It was empty and I couldn't be more grateful.

The doors swung shut behind us with a loud echo, the sound bouncing off polished floors and high ceilings.

The place smelled faintly of varnish and dust, sunlight filtering through the tall windows in pale stripes.

Once we got to the middle, I released him like he had burned me then I started pacing back and forth.

My hands trembled while my thoughts tripped over themselves as panic and anger tangled in my chest.

“What is wrong with you?” I snapped, whirling on him. “Do you have any idea what you just did?”

Ocean raised his brow then tilted his head with his arms folded across his chest like this was an everyday inconvenience.

“I just protected you,” he said lazily.

That instant, a sharp laugh burst out of me.

“Protect me?” I echoed incredulously. “You just painted a target on my back!”

“From who?”

“From everyone!” I yelled, my voice echoing loudly in the empty court. “This school eats girls alive, Ocean. Especially girls like me.” I groan, dragging a hand through my hair only to start pacing again.

My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t get enough air.

“They’re going to tear me apart,” I whispered, my voice cracking despite my effort to stay strong.

“They always do when they have the opportunity and you just gave them one.” Hot tears were burning my eyes now.

Ocean straightened, his expression shifting into a serious one. “You’re not alone anymore.”

“That’s the problem!” I spun back toward him. “I never agreed to this. I never agreed to be your girlfriend whether it is fake or real.”

Pushing his hands into his pocket, he took a step toward me. “Astrid…”

“No,” I cut him off, holding up a hand. “Don’t.”

He stopped.

The silence pressed down on us, heavy and uncomfortable. I could hear my own breathing and feel my heartbeat pounding violently against my ribs.

“You don’t get to decide things for me,” I said quietly. “You don’t get to use me like a chess piece in whatever game you’re playing with Reis.”

His jaw clenched at the name.

“This isn’t just about him,” he said.

“Yes, it is,” I shot back. “Everything with you is about him.”

“You’re wrong.” He snapped, his eyes darkening but that was the least of my concern.

“Am I?” I challenged. “You hate him, you’ve always hated him. And suddenly, the moment I’m vulnerable, the moment I’m humiliated, you swoop in and claim me in front of half the school?”

I shook my head, bitterness burning my throat. “I wasn’t born yesterday.”

Ocean exhaled slowly, like he was counting to ten. “You’re spiraling.”

“I’m panicking,” I corrected sharply. “Because my life just turned into gossip fuel thanks to you.”

I stopped pacing, my shoulders slumping as the weight of everything crashed down on me.

“I never accepted you,” I said, the words bitter on my tongue. “Not as my boyfriend, not as anything.”

His gaze sharpened. “Then why didn’t you say no?”

Holding my forehead, I let out a hollow and tired laugh. “You didn’t exactly give me a choice, did you?”

He opened his mouth, then closed it.

For a moment, neither of us spoke.

My chest rose and fell unevenly as a thought which was dark, terrifying and unavoidable pushed its way to the surface.

“Please be honest with me, did you sleep with me?” I whispered, staring at him with pleading eyes.

The words hung between us like a loaded gun.

Ocean groaned, scrubbing a hand down his face. “We’ve gone past this.”

“Only you did, I haven't,” I said quietly. “I need to know.”

He stepped closer, close enough that I could feel the warmth of him again, close enough that my body reacted traitorously despite my fear.

He placed his hands on my shoulders, steady, grounding and forcing me to look at him.

“No,” he said firmly. “Nothing happened.”

Relived, I released the breath I had been holding.

His eyes searched mine, intense and unflinching. “You were drunk, passed out. I’m not that kind of guy to take advantage of people.”

I swallowed hard, my chest aching with a mix of relief and lingering doubt.

“Then don’t make me feel like I owe you something.” I whispered again.

“You don’t owe me anything,” he said immediately.

“Then let me go,” I snapped. “Let me walk away. Let me pretend none of this happened.”

He hesitated just for a second and that second told me everything.

“I can’t,” he said finally.

“Why?” I asked, my heart dropping into my stomach with a loud plop.

“Because whether you like it or not,” he replied, his voice calm but unyielding, “this already started.”

“I can’t fake date you,” I said, shaking my head. “I don’t like you, I don’t trust you and most importantly, I refuse to be used again.”

“You don’t have to like me.” He smirked.

“That’s not comforting.”

A ghost of a smile tugged at his mouth then he said, “Wasn’t meant to be.”

I stepped back, putting distance between us. “Leave me alone, Ocean.”

He watched me for a long moment, eyes unreadable.

Then he nodded once.

“Fine,” he said.

Relief washed through me but it was brief.

“I’ll pick you up at eight.”

The words hit me like a slap.

“What?” I snapped. “Did you hear anything I just said?”

He turned toward the door, already done with the conversation. “Be ready.”